A special Waitangi Day citizenship ceremony will take place on Monday at Ngā Hau E Wha National Marae on Pages Road.

Forty nine different people from 28 different countries will take the oath of allegiance to New Zealand in the first citizenship ceremony of the year and the first ever held at the National Marae.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger will conduct the ceremony.

“Citizenship ceremonies are always an extra special occasion and particularly the first ceremony of the year which always takes place on our national day.

“In previous years we have held ceremonies at marae in Rāpaki, Ōnuku and Tuahiwi. This year we appreciate the generosity shown by Ngā Hau E Wha National Marae in hosting us for the first time,” says the Mayor.

The day’s events will include a pōwhiri and the citizenship ceremony, followed by some interactive kapa haka and then everyone will be treated to a hāngi lunch.

While the citizenship ceremony isn’t open to the general public, other events this Waitangi Day include the whanau-friendly I Love Brighton event at Thomson Park and the Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Family Celebration at Troussellot Park.

The flag of the United Chiefs will be flying from Te Hononga Civic Office to mark the ocassion.